Horinouchi Megumi, Sakuramoto Hideaki, Fukushima Ayako, Yoshihara Shun, Kajiwara Kohei, Mukoyama Megumi, Koyanagi Mayumi, Mihara Aiko, Imamura Yuta
Department of Nursing, Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN.
Division of Faculty Development and Nursing, Kindai University, Osaka, JPN.
Cureus. 2025 May 15;17(5):e84144. doi: 10.7759/cureus.84144. eCollection 2025 May.
Thirst is one of the most frequently experienced symptoms among patients in intensive care units. Previous reviews of thirst in ICU patients and interventions to alleviate thirst had certain limitations. Therefore, we aimed to systematically explore and map the literature on the prevalence, risk factors, specific measurement methods, and intervention strategies for thirst in ICU patients and to identify areas where further research is needed. A scoping review was conducted to limit the search to studies published by August 2, 2024. A literature search was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi databases. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted data from the selected studies. A total of 53 studies met the eligibility criteria. The combined prevalence of thirst, reported in 11 studies, was 66% (95% CI: 56-76). Four studies reported the risk factors for thirst, including sepsis, gastrointestinal disease, analgesics, diuretics, hyperglycemia, and elevated serum sodium levels, through multivariable analysis. The intensity of thirst and degree of distress were measured using the Numerical Rating Scale, the Visual Analog Scale, and the Likert scale in many studies. The interventions primarily consisted of oral and lip moisturization via sprays and swabs with cold water, many of which were bundled or packaged. The frequency of moisturization interventions for thirst varied from every 30 minutes over a three-hour period to three times a day, and it remained unclear which intervention frequency was the most effective. Other interventions included early oral intake, humidification, and use of music and virtual reality. None of the studies included interventions, such as medication adjustments or electrolyte correction, despite these being recognized as potential risk factors. Future studies should validate the measurement methods and develop objective measurement tools. The intervention types and frequencies that are most effective for treating thirst in ICU patients are unclear. Therefore, further research is required to evaluate the type, timing, and frequency of interventions while considering the identified risk factors.
口渴是重症监护病房患者最常经历的症状之一。先前对重症监护病房患者口渴情况及缓解口渴干预措施的综述存在一定局限性。因此，我们旨在系统地探索和梳理有关重症监护病房患者口渴的患病率、危险因素、具体测量方法及干预策略的文献，并确定需要进一步研究的领域。我们进行了一项范围综述，将检索范围限定在截至2024年8月2日发表的研究。使用PubMed、CINAHL、CENTRAL和《医学中央杂志》数据库进行文献检索。两名评审员根据纳入和排除标准独立筛选文献，并从选定研究中提取数据。共有53项研究符合纳入标准。11项研究报告的口渴综合患病率为66%（95%置信区间：56 - 76）。四项研究通过多变量分析报告了口渴的危险因素，包括脓毒症、胃肠道疾病、镇痛药、利尿剂、高血糖和血清钠水平升高。在许多研究中，使用数字评定量表、视觉模拟量表和李克特量表来测量口渴强度和痛苦程度。干预措施主要包括通过喷雾和用冷水擦拭进行口腔和唇部保湿，其中许多是捆绑式或包装式的。口渴保湿干预的频率从三小时内每30分钟一次到每天三次不等，尚不清楚哪种干预频率最有效。其他干预措施包括早期经口摄入、加湿以及使用音乐和虚拟现实。尽管药物调整或电解质纠正被认为是潜在危险因素，但没有一项研究纳入这些干预措施。未来的研究应验证测量方法并开发客观测量工具。对于治疗重症监护病房患者口渴最有效的干预类型和频率尚不清楚。因此，需要进一步研究来评估干预的类型、时机和频率，同时考虑已确定的危险因素。
